This is hard. All of it.
Tonight, we thought we'd give you an idea of the challenges Elena faces every day.
Her hands and feet are peeling.
Her head hurts most of the time.
She is nauseous most of the time.
Her body is swollen and tender.
Her mouth is completely raw making it difficult to talk.
Her throat is also completely raw and swollen making it hurt to swallow and drink.
She has to suction the saliva out of her mouth , if not, she drools.
She always feels like something is stuck in her throat.
She has a nagging cough.
She has not eaten anything in seven days.
She has to maneuver around 6 tubes attached to one pole every time she gets up.
She can not leave her room except when she walks her daily laps on the BMT floor.
She has to wear a thick mask each time she walks her laps, making it more difficult to breathe.
She has to have oxygen when she is resting or sleeping.
She has had to have blood and platelet transfusions.
She hasn't had a good night's sleep in 14 days.
It hurts to laugh or cry.
She can not get comfortable during the day or at night.
Despite all of this, Elena still fights.
She washes her mouth out multiple times a day to help prevent infection. This stings.
She uses an incentive spirometer multiple times each day to help prevent pneumonia. Taking deep breaths is not easy and hurts.
She uses special wipes on her body to keep germs off her skin. This is cold.
She takes baths each day to soothe her irritated skin.
Getting in and out of the tub with so many cords is not relaxing or easy.
She walks a minimum of 10 laps everyday to help strengthen her lungs, bones, muscles, and heart and to also help improve the movement of fluids in the body.
This takes every bit of energy she has.
Every day, we thank God for Elena - her fight, her will, her determination, her smile!
We also thank him for you - your prayers, your love, your encouragement.
We thank Him for His peace, His presence, His love, and His unfailing promises!
In Him,
The Tates
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13
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GO Elena!!! I can see from your list of daily struggles that things are not so good right now. But I also see that you are a fighter! I understand how hard every little thing is. Swallowing, trying to get comfortable, all those pesky IV lines. But know that you have a TON of people praying for you. Probably a bunch of them you don't know and will never meet. Most important, you have God! It also helps that you have the best Mom, Dad & sister in the world!!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the hard work, but don't forget to laugh either. It's good for your lungs!. I love you sweet girl and pray for you through out the day. Looking forward to the day when you can have visitors so you can tell me all the yucky things you have had to do.
Sanitary Hugs & Kisses,
Pattie Maloney
Praying tonight for Elena and her family. My heart is broken for you all. Don't give up sweet girl!
ReplyDeleteKeep pushing ...you're doing amazing ...better days are coming -- we love you - xoxoxo The Slater's
ReplyDeleteJust catching up after being out of town...Have you in our prayers continually. You amaze me w/ your determination & strength. God has amazing plans for you & I can't wait to see waht He does. We love all of you.
ReplyDeleteAir Hugs,
K-
You all are so very brave, strong and determined! Keep fighting this fight and know that we are lifting you up to Him in prayer! Praying His will be done and you find the strength to fight each day and the challenges it brings. We love you!
ReplyDeleteIf courage is just doing the simple activities we take for granted every day, you deserve the gold medal Elena. Whenever it gets too hard, just concentrate on the next breath, the next task, the next lap. This too shall pass, and it gets you closer to your goal of no more cancer.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you this morning and wishing you a better day today!
ReplyDeleteI ran across a "Life is Good" quote and I immediately thought of you, Elena. It said, "YOU are stronger than your challenges, your challenges make you stronger!"
Praying for strength for you and your sweet family.
Dawn
If I could just take away one of your pains, I would do it for you Elena. I can't imagine how much you hurt, but I do know what a Champion fighter you are. I will never stop praying for you and your family....I want to give you a hug that isn't painful. I love you!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Nauerts'
If there was an Olympic event for "Most amazing and determined kid" Elena~ you would take the GOLD!! Hang in there and keep up the good fight. The House Family continues praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteYou are all in my EVERY prayer. Michele
ReplyDeletePraying for you...
ReplyDeleteJohn
You are all in my prayers and thoughts. You are one courageous family! God is truly watching over you all and will help you through these hard times. Keep the FAITH!!
ReplyDeleteStan and Deona
This all means is that you are right on track for being well. I am awed by your bravery and tenacity to keep putting one breath in front of the other. I know that it feels like you are rowing this boat mostly alone, but you are not! We in the side boats are cheering you right along. Praying for a day of some rest and some funnies, even if you can only laugh in your hurting head!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Grahns'
My heart aches for you all. Elena, I can't imagine the strength that you have to get through every day. Minnie Cat, Mark and Liv, you guys must be just as strong for her to battle through your emotional pain during all of this. There are better days ahead and rewards beyond your wildest dreams. I love you all. Rainey
ReplyDeleteSweet Elena,
ReplyDeleteAs bad as you were feeling, you still managed to try to smile when I stopped by today. You are indeed a special young lady! I am thinking about you and praying for you many, many times each and every day.
sending much love,
Ms. Sharon(from CURE)